First pre-parental test--how optimistic are you? Part III

Rafi responded to part II of my blog with a couple of stories from Bible which I didn't know (Thanks!). Basically the message is that no matter what happens life should go on. We don't have rights to stop the process by choosing not to any children.

I suppose that partially explains why Jewish people tend to have more children--they are culturally coded that way, in other words, that is the norm of their culture.

I think I can understand. That was the norm for Chinese for generations after generations until early 1980s, when "One Child Only" policy was enforced.

As the 1st generation product of that policy I didn't witness how difficult it was for Chinese people to switch to the one child only norm. But when I was a teenager, there were still stories flying around about people had to run away from their hometown with their 2nd-born (to avoid government fine). Obviously a paradigm shift wasn't easy.

However just recently rumor says Chinese government is reconsidering the policy, partially because the birth rate in big cities are getting lower and lower. People chose not to have children anymore even if they could for whatever reason (increased cost of living is one for sure).

If this is a definite sign of shifted paradigm, then it took Chinese 2o years to do it (only urban population changed their mind as far as I know).

Still, a paradigm shift is possible. But what can trigger such a shift? For my mum the answer is her baby's sex. She could have had another child if she'd wanted because they only started a trial period and there was no enforcement yet. But my mum only wanted a girl. She was so happy with this one/Yoyo that a second child was not an option. "If you were a boy, I would have considered to have another kid," as she told me.

For myself I grew up with the idea that "a woman's life without the experience of being a mum is not complete". I didn't know there could be another choice other than being a mum at some point in my life, until I went to the US and met people who chose not to do so because of environmental concerns.

These concerns not only include what a degrading environment can do to their children, but also what more children can do to the human society. To start with more children means more consumption of natural resources, which we humans as a whole seem to barely have enough right now.

For the same reason Chinese government started "One Child Only" policy I guess. For the same reason some couples stopped at a small number of children even their religion says "the more the merrier" I guess again. As a government/a parent if you cannot guarantee enough food/clean water/education to your people/your children, is it a good idea to bring them to the world?

I don't think there is an universal answer to the question, but perhaps this conservation between me and my professor at my 1st class in the US helps to shed some light.

Professor: What do you think of the "One Child Only"?
Yoyo: Personally I think it was RIGHT because otherwise I would not have had the opportunity to be here listening your lecture..."
Professor: You mean it was a GOOD policy?

Yoyo: ?!...wordless, started thinking about the difference between being "right" and "good". Obviously until today...